ATP Madrid: Rafael Nadal as a role model for Denis Shapovalov: “I’m looking at some things”

Denis Shapovalov made a good start to the Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid and revealed a little secret after his opening victory: The Canadian looks at some of Rafael Nadal’s things.

Shapovalov can sand. You could see that in the first rounds of the Madrid Masters. With 6:1 and 6:4 the Canadian swept the American Tennys Sandgren off the court and booked the ticket for the second round, where he also won against Benoit Paire – this time in three sets.

The world number one Rafael Nadal seems to have a small part of it. At first seems confusing, but not any more with Shapovalov’s explanation. “I learned a few left-handed tricks from Nadal that annoy other players and that helped me a lot,” said the 19-year-old after the game.

According to Shapovalov, who won his first victory on the European ashes this year in Madrid, it was above all the aggressiveness and “going for it” on the opportunities that presented themselves that were a great advantage that Nadal had perfected. Previously, they suffered defeats at the Masters in Monte Carlo and Budapest.

The left-hander continues: “I’m playing good tennis on clay right now and want to enjoy the upcoming tournaments”. The Canadian has great ambitions for the big showdown at the French Open in Paris.

“I talked to my team and told them that the results are not so important at the moment, but I want to identify with the surface. The goal is to maybe one day play for the title at the French Open,” says Shapovalov.

The NextGen Star is aware that this will not be easy. Nevertheless, he would like to make an attempt and “role model” Nadal at least a little annoyed: “Maybe I can, maybe not. I will definitely do everything in my power.”

The men’s single tableau in Madrid